What to Do in August

Have you ever left an art exhibition inspired to create something of your own—but at a loss as to exactly what that something might be? Kidrobot knows the feeling. That’s why the Boulder-based toy company decided to host a combination exhibit and DIY event. Show Me The Munny will display more than 30 customized Munnys (vinyl figures designed for you to decorate yourself) at Rule Gallery over the span of two weeks. Local and national artists—including Denver’s own Mario Zoots and Kidrobot graphic designer Johnny Draco—as well as Colorado personalities like restaurateur Frank Bonanno took five months to personalize their seven- or 20-inch figurines. You’ll have just one night: August 4. Head across the street from Rule to studio-cum-gallery Leisure, buy a blank Munny ($10 to $20), and embellish it with markers and pens.

Since the first National Poetry Slam (NPS) in 1990, the Mile High City has slowly built a slam scene worth bragging about: Two national women’s champions—Andrea Gibson and Dominique Christina—and Minor Disturbance, a top youth team, hail from here. Two years ago, NPS organizers took note of Denver’s flourishing artists and selected it as the host of the 2017 competition. During the performance art event, attendees can watch more than 70 teams from across the country battle one another to win a $2,000 cash prize. Feeling inspired by their words? Try your hand at writing during a free class hosted by teachers from the Lighthouse Writers Workshop, or share your work at a parenting- or pop-culture-themed open mic night. And if you don’t make it onstage this year, don’t worry. Denver was chosen as one of four NPS anchor cities, meaning it’ll host the event every five years for the next several decades.

Thanks to the inaugural Telluride Jazz Adventure Academy, a music-focused day camp for young instrumentalists, teenagers can enjoy the Telluride Jazz Festival as much as their parents do. The 12- to 18-year-old participants will learn about music theory and improvisation from award-winning jazz artists like Utah-based saxophonist Caleb Chapman. (Hear the campers’ new skills during their concert on August 6 at Elks Park.) The weeklong program also includes outdoor activities, such as hiking the Bear Creek Falls Trail and stand-up paddleboarding, giving them the chance to be serenaded by the outdoors.

Spending time in the mountains has always helped Coloradans relax. And Snowmass’ new Yoga on the Mountain festival takes that unwinding even further. From energizing sunrise flow to introductory chanting, the lineup features more than 60 classes taught by experts such as O2 Aspen’s Arielle Shipe. Just be sure to focus on your breathing during guided meditation—you’ll be taking plenty of deep inhales in gridlock on the drive back to Denver.